The process of writing/ENGA101/Product-based versus process-based writing/Matching

Which approach to use?

Choosing your approach

In this section, you are going to further explore the different approaches to writing. Here is a list of writing examples. Decide for each one if it would be more appropriate to use the product-based or process-based approach to complete the task.

• A postcard.
  • Process-based
    • Incorrect. Postcards have a pre-determined format, a finite amount of space and are generally written by hand thus limiting the possibility for edits and drafts.
  • Product-based
    • Correct. Postcards have a pre-determined format, a finite amount of space and are generally written by hand thus limiting the possibility for edits and drafts.
• An essay for your philosophy course on a topic of your choice.
  • Product-based
    • Incorrect. The fact that you have to pick yout topic puts this one automatically in the process category because you'll have to spend some time fine-tuning both the topic and what you want to say about it.
  • Process-based
    • Correct. The fact that you have to pick yout topic puts this one automatically in the process category because you'll have to spend some time fine-tuning both the topic and what you want to say about it.
• A letter to apply for a job.
  • Product-based
    • Correct. Althought there's sometimes room for individuality, most job application letters follow a fairly traditional format.
  • Process-based
    • Incorrect. Althought there's sometimes room for individuality, most job application letters follow a fairly traditional format.
• A science lab report.
  • Process-based
    • Incorrect. There's little room for improvisation in such a type of writing. Students are asked to follow a template.
  • Product-based
    • Correct. There's little room for improvisation in such a type of writing. Students are asked to follow a template.
• A short story.
  • Process-based
    • Correct. Narrative writing usually goes through multiple drafts and edits, as well as receiving feedback.
  • Product-based
    • Incorrect. Narrative writing usually goes through multiple drafts and edits, as well as receiving feedback.
• A user manual.
  • Process-based
    • Incorrect. User manuals have a pre-determined format, a formal style and leave little space or time for drafts and rewrites.
  • Product-based
    • Correct. User manuals have a pre-determined format, a formal style and leave little space or time for drafts and rewrites.
• A travel blog.
  • Process-based
    • Correct. Travel blogs are usually narrative in form and can go through multiple drafts and edits, as well as receiving feedback.
  • Product-based
    • Correct. Travel blogs can be informative in nature and suited to product-based writing.
• A research paper on a controversial topic.
  • Process-based
    • Correct. Although you may already have a strong opinion about the topic, research papers must, by definition, involve a process of discovery.
  • Product-based
    • Incorrect. Although you may already have a strong opinion about the topic, research papers must, by definition, involve a process of discovery.